Electric switching



July 16, l929 J. w.. sTocKlNcs ELECTRIC SWITCHING Filed Sept, 23, 1926mm wm INVEN OR Patented .|915i 16, 192e. V'

rfa-TENT onirica.

.Turns w. s'rockNG, or HOLLYWOOD, cA'LIroRNIA.

ELECTRIC swrrcnme.

This invention relates to electric switching and particularly to anelectric circuit controller for use in theatre'lighting.

In order to secure the desired lighting effects in theatricalproductions, and particularly the smooth transition from one lightingeffect to another, it is necessary to take care of a number of. unusualswitching problems. The various theatre lights are arranged in`different banks,and most of these banks require not only individualcontrol, but also control from a master, so that several banks may beswitched at the same time. In certain cases, itis also desirable tocontrol the various master switches by a main master so that the varioussets of banks will be switched on or olf at the proper time.

Considering a single b ank of lights, experience has shown' that thefollowing controls or control positions are desirable in order to secureall the effects required:

(a) An offposition.

(b) An on position.

(c) A complete transfer position in which the switch for'the particularbank of lights is out of operation and the entire bank is controlledfrom a master switch. In this position the lights should be capable ofbeing turned on orolf from the master switch regardless of whether theywere on or off when the bank switch is moved to the complete transferposition.

(d) A transfer off position. In this position of the bank switch, if thelights are on 'when the transfer is made and the master switch is alsoon, the lights continue to burn, but if the master switch is thenshifted to oif position it will not thereafter turn the lights on.

(e) A transfer on position. In this position, if the lights are ofi'when the transfer is made, the lights will stay off even though themaster switch is at on position, but if the master switch is then turnedolf and theny on, the lights will come on.

The systems in use today for securing these results comprise a largenumber of independent switches arranged in special switchboards. Thesystems are highly expensive, notonly to purchase, but also to operate.The switchboards are necessarily so large that several men are generallyrequired to operate them, and this is undesirable not only because ofthe additional expense, but

Application led September 23, 1926. Serial No. 137,253.

also because4 valuable space kis-'taken up and theviring connections areunduly complica I provide a single switch which may be placed within avery small compass, and which is effective for giving all of the aboverecited controls. On this account it is possible to provide al Verylarge number 'of such switches at a single control station andthusreduce the space taken up, and cut down the operating expensedue to theelimination of one or more electricians.

The accompanying ligure of drawings illustrates diagrammatically thepresent preferred embodiment of'my invention. Two bank switches areshown, each of them being connected to a master switch, the masterswitches in turn being connected to a main master switch.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, there are illustratedlamp banks 2 and 3 which are required to be controlled. Current isAsupplied from mains L-1and L-2 and one branch of the circuit to the lampbanks is made through wires 4 leading" from the main L-1. If desired, adimmer 5 may be inserted. 4

The lighting vcircuit for either of the banks 2 and 3 is completedthrough a wire 6 terminating in one of a pair of contacts 7 The othercontact is connected back to the main L-2 through a wire 8.

The circuit is normally open, as shown in the drawings, anda bridge 9 isprovided for closing the circuit. The bridge 9 is connccted to theplunger 10 of a solenoid 11, and this solenoid is in turn controlled bymy improved switching means.

- In the drawings each bank switch is shown .diagrammatically as a drumtype controller having a bridge member 12, with contact portions 13 and14 therein. This bridge member 12V is adapted to occupy the positionsindicated by heavy horizontal chain lines in the drawing. These chainlines are marked with the five positions above enumerated and theoperation for each of these positions will kbe described in turn.

( a) 0# position.

When the bridge member 12 is in the olf position, no contacts of anysort are made, and since the bridge member 9 is in low position as shownin the drawings, the lights do not burn. (b) 0n posz'tz'on.

When the bridge member 12 is in the on position, 'current flows from themain L-1 through a wire 15 to a terminal 16,1thence through the contactportion 14 to a terminal 17. From the terminal 17 it flows through awire 18 to a terminal 19, through a switch member 20 and a wire 21, tothe solenoid 11 and thence back to the main L-2 through a wire 22. Theswitch member 2O is pivoted at 23 and is normally held in the positionshown by a spring 24.

The circuit above recited constitutes the closing circuit for thesolenoid or closing coil 11. It is effective for pulling the bridgemember 9 upwardl towardsthe terminal 7.

The bridge mem r 9 is provided with an insulated extension 25 having aterminal 26 therein, ladapted -to engage an extension or finger 27 onthe switch 20. The terminal 26 is connected through a wire 28 to aterminal 29, which is in contact with the contact portion 14 .in the onposition. Therefore, as soon as the terminal 26 engages the finger 27current is free to How through the wire 15, the contact portion 14, thewire 28 and the wire 21 to the solenoid 11, and thence through' the wire22 to the main L-2. This constitutes the holding circuit for the closingcoil or solenoid 11.

Obviously, as the plunger 10 moves -upwardly it will tend to break theconnection between the terminal 19 and the switch member 20, but theoperation of the closing coil 11 will remain unaffected, since thecircuit will be maintained through the holding circuit above described.When the bridge member 9 is in its upper position, the circuit for thelamp bank is completed and the lights will burn and continue to burn solong as the bridge member 12 remains in the on position. If it isshifted back to the off position both the holding and the closingcircuits will be broken, the bridge member 9 will drop and the lampswill go out.

(c) Completo tramfer position.

As above stated, it is necessary in this position to put the lamp bankunder the control of the master switch so that the lights may be turnedon or off from such lmaster switch. Assuming lthat the master switch ison, and the contact lmember 12 is movedfrom the on position to completetransfer position, the lights should remain burning and moreover shouldnot flicker during the time of the transfer. If the master switch is offand the contact member 12 is moved from the on position to the completetransfer position, the

lights, of course, should go out.

The master switch comprises a bridge member 30 having contact portions31, 32 and 33 and adapted to occupy an off position, an on position anda transfer position, as shown in the drawing. When the bridge member 30is in the on position, the contact portion 33 bridges a pair of contactmembers 34 and 35. With the bridge member 12 at the complete transferposition, and the bridge member 30 Y noid 11 and wire 22. It will berecalled that the bridge member 12 has been moved from on position tocomplete transfer position, and therefore, the bridge member 9 will beup. It will be noted that the contact members 16 and 39 overlap so thatno flickering of the lights occurs during the movement of the bridgemember 12. i

Now assume that 'the bridge member 30 is shifted to the off position,while the bridge member 12 remains at complete transfer position. Thecircuit is immediately broken, the solenoid is deenergized, the bridgemember 9 dro s and the lamps go out. v

, Nlbw assume that the bridge member 30 is again moved to the onposition. Current Hows through the -wires 15, 36 and 37 to the contactmember 34, -thence through Vthe coni tact portion 33 to the contactmember 35, to

the Wire/38. Current cannot ,flow through l the wife 28 because thecircuit is open be tween the terminal 26 and the switch finger 27.However, a closing circuit is provided by a branch wire 40 terminatingina contact member 41. The Contact member 41 is engaged by thecontact-portion 13 of the bridge member 12 and current is free to owthrough this contact portion 13 to a contact member 42, thence through awire 43 connected 'into the wire 18. With the closing circuit thusestablished, the operation of the solenoid and its connected switchmechanism is the same as was described for the on position.

(d) Transfer o# position.

lil() 12 is moved to transfer oil' position, the holding circuit throughwires 15, 36 and 37 con- ,tact member 34, contact portion 33, contactmember 35, wire 38, contact member 39, contact portion 14, Contactmember 29, wire 23,v terminal 26, switch 27, wire 21, holding coil 11and wire 22 is maintained. If, however,

with the bridge member 12 in transfer o position, the lights will remainofi', thus fulfilling the requirements of the transfer ofi?v positlon.

(e) T mnsfer on position.

As stated heretofore, the five position control is preferabl of the drumtype, audit 1s therefore possib e to go from the off position direct tothe transfer on position. Assume, therefore, that the bridge member 12is moved from the ofi' position tothe transfer on position, and thatwhen this occurs the master switch is in the on position. It will benoted that while there is an electrical path through the wires 15, 36and 37 to the Contact member 34, thence through the Contact portion 33,the contact member 35, the wire 38, the contact member v39, the contactportion 14, the vcontact member 29 and the wire 28 to the contact member26, the circuit for the closing coil 11 will not be complete because theplunger 10 is in its lower position. The lamp bank, therefore, will notburn even though the master switch is in the on position.

N ow assume that the bridge member 12 is left at transfer on positionwhile the master switch is moved to the oif position. At this point itmust be mentioned that the drum of the master switch is provided withasuitable ratchet stop so that the movement from on position to ofi'position can only. be accomplished by a movement in the directionl ofthe arrow A on the drawing. Obviously, the lights will still remain off,as no current'can flow through the wire 15 withpthe bridge member 12 inthe transfer on position unless it also flows through the master switch.

Now assume that the bridge member 30 is moved from od to on position inthe direction of the arrow A. The contact member 33 not only bridges thecontacts 34 and 35, but it is temporarily connected also to a contactportion 44. The closing circuit for the closing coil is established asfollows From main L--1 through'wires 15, 36 and 37 to contact member 34,through contact portion 33 to contact member 44, thence through a wire45 to a. contact member 46, thence through contact portion 13 on thebridge member 12 to a contact portion 47, thence through a wire 48through contact member 42, wire 43, wire 18` terminal 19, switch 20.wire 21, coil 11 and wire 22 to main L-2. With the closing circuit thusestablished, the core 10 raises, the holding circuit is establishedthrough contact member 35, wire 38, contact member 39, contact portion14, contact member 29, wire 28, terminal 26, switch finger 27, wire 21,coil 11 and wire 22.

' As above stated, the master switch can only be shifted from on to offposition in the direction ofv the arrow A. lHowever, it is desirable toshift from transfer to off position and vice versa without going throughthe on .position and I therefore arrange the ratchet mechanism to permitof such shifting while at the same' time preventing movement from on toofi' position, except the arrow.

J aiming of several bank switches to a single master switch.

' Obviously, it is desirable to control a number of banks of lights froma single master switch so that the desired results may be obtained. I,therefore, provide a five position switch for each bank of lights to becontrolled. Each of these switches will have its own wire 15, andholding coil 11, and the parts will be connected as shown in thedrawings. In order to secure the desired connection with the masterswitch, I provide a branch Wire 36 connected to the wire 36, and leadingto a contact member 16 in another bank switch; a branch wire45 connectedto the wire 45 leading to lacontact member 46 in another bank switch-1,'and a wire 38 connected to the wire 38, connected to the contact members39 and 41 of the other bank switch. Obviously, any 'number of bankswitches may be paralleled in this manner and operated from a singlemaster switch.

Transfer from master switch to main master switch.

rThe master switch is provided with a transfer position comprising fourcontact members 48, 49, 50 and 51. rl`he contact member 48 is connectedthrough a wire 52 to the contact member 35. The contact portion 32 onthe bridge member 30 is adapted to bridge the contact members 48 and 49and thus complete an electrical path from the contact member 35 on themaster switch to a corresponding contact member 53 on the main masterswitch through a wire 54. The contact member 50 is connected to theContact member 44 through a wire 55 and the contact portion 31 isadapted to connect the contact members 50 and 51 and thus complete anelectricalvpath from the contact member 44 to a corresponding Contactmember 56 through a wire 57. The main master switch is also providedwith al contact member 58 corresponding to the contact member 34 andconnected to the wire 36 through a wire 59. A bridge member 60 isprovided for the main master switch, and this is also movable only inone direction, as indicated by the arrow B.

It will be noted that the bridge member 30 overlaps the on and transferpositions of the master switch. This prevents flickering of the lightsincase the main master switch is in the on position and the master switchis moved from on position to transfer position.

The main master switch may control a in the direction ofy turn control anumber of lamp banks.

number of master switches, which each in In the drawing,'two masterswitches are connected vto the main master switch, but it will beunderstood, of course, that others may be connected in the same way.V

If desired, suitable relay circuits may be employedinstead of the simplecircuits shown in the drawings. Instead .of drum controls, pan typecontrols may be employed and the various contact members 'arrangedtherein as segments of circles. In either case lthe space required forthe entire control system' a terminal adapted for connection with thecurrent source and a normally open switch,

means operable upon closing of the mainl switch for opening the switchin the closing is very materially reduced, and generally the '\circuitand closing the switch in the holding services of one or moreelectricians may be4 dispensed with. This not only represents `materialeconomies in operation, but also assures better results. since one manworking at a relatively small control station can obviously time thevarious effects morel accurately than can several men working atseparated stations.

My improved switching means is' not limited to the applicationillustrated, but may be employed for the control of other powerconsuming devices, such for example, as a plurality of motors as areused to control drops and flies used for various scenes in theatre work.It will be understood, of course, that the motors may simply beconnected in the lines corresponding to 6 and 4 in place of the lampbanks illustrated.

I havev illustrated and described a preferred form of the invention, butit will be understood that the invention is not limited to such form,since it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the followingclaims.

I claim 1. An electric circuit controller, including a. normally op'enmain switch in the circuit to be controlled, a closing coil therefor, aclosing circuit for the closing coil, comprising a terminal adapted forconnection with a current source and a normally closed switch, a holdingcircuit for the closing coil comprising a terminal adapted forconnection with the current` source and a normally open switch, meansoperable upon closing of the main switch 'for opening the switch in theclosing circuit and closing the switch in the holding circuit, a bridgemember, the bridge member having an off position wherein the terminalsare not connected to the current source, an on position wherein theterminals are connected to the current source, and a complete transferposition, and complete transfer mechanism comprising a master switchhaving a pair of terminals and a bridge therefor, one of the terminalsbeing connected to a current source and the other terminal beingconnected to a contact means so positioned as to connect with theclosing circuit through the first mentioned member when it is in thecomplete transfer position,

and also connected with theholding circuit source, an on positionwherein the termi- :nals are connected to the current source, and acomplete transfer positlon, and' .complete transfer mechanism comprismga master vswitch having a pairof terminals and a bridge therefor, 011eof the terminals being connected to a current source and the otherterminal being connected .to a contact means so positioned as tofconnectwith the closing circuit through the' first mentioned member when it isin the completetransfer position, and also connected with the holdingcircuit through said first mentioned bridge member when it is in thecomplete transfer position, the first mentioned bridge member beingadapted, when in'its on position, for contact with a terminal connectedto a current source, said terminal being adapted to maintain contactwith the first mentioned bridge member until said first mentioned bridgemember. is

in contact with said contact means.

3. An electric circuit controller including a normally open -main switchin the circuit to be controlled, a closing coil therefor, a closingcircuit for the closing coil comprising a terminal adapted forconnection with a current source and a normally closed switch, a

holding circuit for the closing coil comprising a terminal adapted forconnection with the current source and a normally open switch,

means operable upon closing of the main switch for opening theswitch inthe closing circuit and closing the switch in the holding circuit, abridge member, the bridge member having an off position, wherein theterminals are not connected to the current source, an on positionwherein the terminals are connected to the current source and a transferoff position, and transfer off mechanism comprising a master switchhaving a pair of terminals and a bridge member therefor, one of theterminals being connected to the current source and the other terminalbeing connected to a terminal so positioned as to connect with theholding circuit, but not with the closing circuit, when thefirstmentioned bridge member is in transfer ofi' position.

4. An electric circuit controller including a lnormally open main switchin the circuit on position, the intermediate contact being to becontrolled, a closing' coil therefor, a closing circuit for'the closingcoil comprising a terminal adapted for connection with a current sourceand a normally closed switch, a holding circuit for the closing coilcomprising a 'terminal adapted for connection with the current sourceand a normally open switch, means operable upon closing of the mainswitch for opening the switch in the closing circuit and closing theswitch inthe holding circuit, a bridge member having an off position, anon position and a transfer on posil ion, and transfer on mechanismcomprismg a master switch having a pair of terminals and a bridge membertherefor, one of the terminals being connected toa current source, andthe other terminal being connected to a terminal so positioned as toconnect with the holding circuit through the first mentioned bridgemember when it is in the transfer on position, and an intermediatecontact for the bridge member of the master switch adapted forconnection with the current source through the bridge member of saidmaster switch when said bridge is moved from an off position to an onposition, said intermediate contact being connected with a terminaladapted for connectingl the intermediate contact through the firstmentioned bridge-member to the closing circuit when said first mentionedbridge member is in the transfer on position.

5. An electric circuit controller including a normally open main switchin the circuit to be controlled, a closing coil therefor, a closingcircuit for the closing coil comprising a terminal adapted forconnection with a current source and a normally closed switch. a holdingcircuit for the closing coil comprising a terminal adapted forconnection with the current source and a normally open switch, meansoperable upon closing of the main switch for opening the switch in theclosing circuit 'and closing' the switch in the holding circuit, abridge member, said bridge member having an off position, an onposition, a transfer off position'and a transfer on position, and amaster switch having a pair of terminals and a bridge member adapted tooccupy an' off position and an on position, one Vof said terminals onthe .master switch being connected to the current source, the secondterminal of the master switch being connected to a terminal sopositioned as to connect with the holding circuit, but not with theclosing circuit, when the first mentioned bridge member is in transferoff position, said second terminal being also arranged to connect withthe holding circuit when the first mentioned bridge member is in thetransfer on position, the master switch also havin an intermediatecontact adapted for connectlon with'the current source throu h thebridgevof the master switch when said ridge is moved from olf toconnected with a terminal adapted forconnecting the intermediate contactthrou4 h the first mentioned bridge member to the c osng circuit, whensaidl first mentioned bridge member is in the transfer on position.

6. An electric circuit controller including a normally Vopen main switchin the circuitv to be controlled, a closing coil therefor, a

closing circuit for the closing coil comprising,

a terminal adapted for connection with a current source and a normallyclosed switch, a holding circuit for the closing coil comprislng aterminal adapted for connection with the current source and a normallyopen switch, means operable upon closing of the main switch for, openingtheswitch in the closmg cli-cuit and closing the switch in the holdmgcircuit, a bridge member having an 0H position, an on position, acomplete transfer postion, a transfer off position, and a transfer onposition, and a master switch havlng a pair of terminals and a bridgemember adapted to occupy anoi' position and an on position, one of theterminals of the master switch being connected to a current source andthe second terminal thereof being connected to terminal means .sopositioned as to connect with the closing circuit and also the holdingcircuit through the first mentioned bridge member when it is in theco-mplete transfer position, the second terminal being also adapted toconnect with the holding'circuit, but not with the closing circuit whenthe first mentioned bridge member is in transfer. oft1 positlon, thesecond terminal of the master switch being also adapted for connectionwith the holding circuit, but not with the closing circuit when thefirst mentioned bridge member is in transfer on position, the masterswitch having an intermediate contact adapted for connection with thecurrent source through the bridge member of the master switch when saidbridge is moved from off position to on position, said intermediatecontact bein connected with a terminal for connecting t 1e intermediatecontact through the first mentioned bridge member to the closing circuitwhen said first mentioned bridge member is in the transfer on position.

7. Electric switching mechanism as defined in claim 6 characterized bythe lirst mentioned bridge member being adapted, when in its onposition, for contact with a terminal connected to a current source,said terminal being adapted to maintain contact with the first mentionedbridge member until said first mentioned bridge member is in-contactwith a terminal extending to the complete transfer position. 1*

8. An electric switching mechanism as dened in claim 6, characterized bythe iirst mentioned bridge member being movable in either -direction.

9. An electric switching mechanism as deing in the-order of off, on,complete trans-l fer, transfer off and transfer on. A

11. An electric switching mechanism as dened in claim 6, characterizedby the several lpositions of the ii'rst recited switch mechanism beingin the order of off, on, complete transfer, transfer oif and transferon, and the bridge member being movable in either direction to suchositions.

A 12. An electric circuit controller, includin a normally open mainswitch in the circuit to be controlled, a closing coil therefor, aclosing circuit for the closing coil Comprising a termina/1 adapted forconnection with a current source and a normally closing switch, a

lholding circuit for the closing coil comprisin a terminal adapted forconnection with t e current source and a normally open switch, meansoperable upon closing of the main switch for opening the switch in theclosing circuit and closing the switch in the holding circuit, a bridgemember having an off position, an on position and a transfer onposition, and a main master switch, the master switch having a completetransfer position with terminals connected to 'an intermediate contactand said second terminal, the bridge member for the master switch beingadapted to connect said terminals at the transfer position to terminalsat the main master switch.

13. An electric circuitcontrolling a paratus comprising a switch havingan o position, an on position and a transfer on position, and a mastgrswitch adapted to be connected through the first mentioned switch to thecircuit to be controlled when said switch is in transfer on position,the master switch having an olf position and an on position and alsohavinlg an intermediate contact adapted to establis a closing circuitwhen the master switch is moved from oif position to on position.

14. An electric circuit controlling a paratus comprising a switch havingan o position, anon position and a transfer on position, and a masterswitch adapted to be connected through the first mentioned switch to thecircuit to be controlled when said switch lis in transfer on position,the master switch having an off position and an on position and alsohaving an intermediate contact adapted to establish a closing circuitwhen the master switch is moved from oif osition to on position, themaster switch being adapted for movement' from on position to oifposition vminal adapted for connection with t e current source and anormally open switch, means operable upon closing of the main switch foropening the switch` in the closing circuit and closing the switch intheholdin circuit, a bank switch having a single han e operable to anoff position, an on position, a complete transfer position, a transferoff position and a transfer on posltion, and a master switch having apair of terminals and a-single handle member adapted to occupy an offposition and an on position, one of the terminals of the master switchbeing connected to a current source and the second terminal thereofbeing connected to terminal means so positioned as to connect with theclosing circuit and also the holding circuit through the bank switchwhen it is in the complete transfer position, the second terminal beingalso adapted to connect with the holding circuit, but not wit-h theclosin circuit when the lhandle of the bank switch is in transfer oiposition, the second terminal of themaster switch being also adapted forconnection with the holding circuit, but not with the closing circuitwhen the handle of the bank switch is in transfer on position, themaster switch having an intermediate contact ada ted for connection withthe current source w en said handle is moved from oif position toonposition, said intermediate contact being connected with a terminal forconnecting the intermediate contact through the bank switch to theclosing circuit when said handle of the bank switch is in the transferon position.

16. An electric circuit controlling apparatus comprising a single bankswitch having relatively movable contact members engaging in differentcombinations in an off position, an on position, and a complete transferposition, a master switch adapted to be connected to the controllingcircuit through said bank switch when it is in complete transferposition, a master switch having different contact members engaging inan off position, an on position` and a transfer position, and a mainmaster switch adapted to be connected to.the circuit to be controlledthrough the master switch when it is in the transfer position, saidswitches each having a single handle for occupying the severalpositions.

17. In an electrical control system, the combination with an lelectricaldevice, of a controlling circuit therefor comprising a plurality ofcircuit controlling devices each having a single operating handle and aplurality of relatively movable contact members actuated by theirassociated handles, and interconnecting conductors, one of the circuitcontrolling devices being connected vto directly control both theenergzation and de-energization of the electrical device, to transferthrough itself the complete control of the electrical device to anotherof said circuit controlling devices or to transfer through itself v thecontrol of the electrical devices to another of said circuit controllingdevices for controlling only a predetermined operation.

18. In an electrical control system, the

combination with an electrical device, of a controlling circuit thereforcomprising a plurality of circuit controlling devices each having asingle operating handle and a plurality of relatively movable contactmembers actuated by their associated handles and interconnectingconductors, one of the circuit controlling devices being connected todirectly control the energization and de-energization of the electricaldevice, to transfer through itself the complete control of theelectrical device to another of said circuit controlling devices, or totransfer through itself the control of the electrical device to anotherof said circuit controlling devices for energizing or deenergizing theelectrical device under predetermined operating conditions.

19. In an electrical control system, the combination with an electricaldevice, of a controlling circuit therefor comprising a plurality ofcircuit controlling devices each having a single operating handle and aplurality of relatively movable Contact members actuated by theirassociated handles and interconknecting conductors, one of the circuitControlling devices being connected to directly control both theenergization and de-energization of the electrical device, to transferthrough itslf the complete control of the electrical device to anotherof said circuit controlling devices, or to transfer through itself thcontrol of the electrical device under conditions such that the secondcircuit controlling device is capable of controlling only apredetermined operation.

20. In an electrical control system, the combination with an electricaldevice, of a. controlling circuit. thcrefor comprising a plurality ofcircuit controlling devices each having a single operating handle and aplurality of pairs of relatively movable contact members kactuated bytheir associated handles and interconnecting conductors, one of thecircuit controlling devices being connected to directly control both'theenergization and de-energization of the electrical device, to transferthrough itself the complete control of the electrical device toanother'of said circuit controlling devices, or to transfer throughitself the control of the electrical device under 4conditions such thatthe second circuit controlling device is capable of energizing orde-energizing the electrical device under predeterminedvoperatingconditions. v

21. An electric circuit controller, including anormally open mainswitch. in the circuit to be controlled, a closing coil therefor,a'closing circuit for the closing Coil compris'- ing a terminal adaptedfor connection with a current source and a normally closing switch, aholding circuit for the closing coil comprising a terminal adapted forconnection with the current source and a normally open switch, meansoperable upon closing of the main switch for opening the switch in theclosing circuit and closing the switch in the holding circuit, a bridgemember having an olf position, an on position, a complete transferposition, a transfer off position and a transfer on position, a masterswitch and a main master switch, the master switchhaving a completetransfer position with terminals connected to an intermediate contactand said second terminal, the bridging member for the master switchbeing adapted to connect said terminals at the transfer position toterminals at the main master switch.

22. In combination, an outside switch and an electric circuit controllercomprising brid ing means-having a group of Contact mem ers thereon, asecond group of contact members of different edective areas andpositions cooperating with and engaging ce1- tain of the rst namedcontact members when the bridging means occupies different positionsrelative to said second group of contact members; a single handle forcausing relative movement between the groups of contact members;electrical conductors connected to the contact members in such mannerthat in one relative pcsition of the groups of contact members a circuitto van electrical -devlce 1s interrupted; 1n another relative positionof the groups of contact members engagement between co-operating Contactmembers of the group is made for completing a circuit to the electricaldevice; in another relative position of the groups of contact membersengagement between cooperating contact members of the groups is made forcompleting circuits through the controller through which circuits anelectric device may be electrically energized and de-energized by` theoutside switch; in another relative potition of the groups of contactmembers engagement between cooperating contact members of the groups ismade for controlling circuits operable by the outside switch, andeffective for maintaining the electrical device electrically energized,if energized when engagement is made, until the device is de-energizedby said outside switch, and after the de-energization of the electricaldevice by said outside switch it is impossible to re-energize ittherefrom; and in another relative position of the groups of contactmembers engagement between cooperating contact members of the groups ismade by which there is established a circuit with a device of suchcharacter that the device if de-energized at the time of such relativemovement will remain de-energized even though the circuit' is closedoutside the controller, but will thereafter be energized if the circuitis first opened and then closed.

23. In an electrical system, an electrical de,-l vice havingelectrically energized yand deenergized positions, a switch, and a'circuit controller comprising bridging means havlng a group of contactmembersthereon; a second group of contact members of different effectiveareas and positions cooperating with and enga ing certain of the firstnamed contact memers when the bridging means occupies differentpositions relative to said second roup of contact members; a singlehandle for causing relative movement between the groups of contactmembers electrical conductors connected to the contact members in suchmanner that in one relative position of the groups of contact members acircuit to an electrical device is interrupted; in another relativeposition of the groups of contact members engagement betweenco-operating contact members of the group is made for completing acircuit to the electrical device; in

' another relative position of the groups of contact members engagementbetween cooperating contact members of the groups is made for completingcircuits through the controller, through which circuits said electricaldevice may be electrically energized and de-energized by said switch; inanother relative position of the groups' of contact members engagementbetween the contact members of the groups is made for completingcircuits controllable by said switch and effective for maintaining theelectrical device electrically energized, if energized when engagementis made, until the electrical device is de-energized by said switch, andafter the de-energization of the electrical device by said switch it isimpossible to re-energize it therefrom; and in another relative positionof thegroups of contact members engagement between cooperating contactmembers of the f groups is made by which there is established a circuitwith the electrical device of such character that the device ifde-energized at the time of such relative movement will remaincle-energized even though the circuit is closed outside the controller,but will thereafter be energized if the circuit is first opened and thenclosed. 24. An electric circuit controller as defined in claim 22,characterized'by the bridge member being adapted to occupy suchpositions relative to the second group in the order named and beingcapable of going from oi position to transfer on position.

25. An electric circuit controller as defined in claim 22 characterizedby the bridge memgroups of contact members when it is in a completetransfer position corresponding to the similar'positions of the firstmentioned groups of contact members, and a main master switch adapted tobe connected to the circuit to be controlled through a master switchwhen it is in the complete transfer position having an off position andan on position for controlling the electrical device through the masterswitch and the first mentioned groups of contact members when the masterswitch and the first mentioned groups of contact members are in theircomplete transfer positions, all of said switches each having a singlecontrol handle capable of performing the foregoing operations.

28. An electrical circuit controlling apparatus comprising anelectroresponsive switch, a single switch for controlling the electricalenergization and de-energization of the electroresponsive switch andhaving relatively movable groups of Contact members for completing anoff position, an on position, and a complete transfer position, a masterswitch adapted to be connected to the circuit to be controlled throughsaid switch when it is in complete transfer position, the master switchhaving relatively movable groups of contact members for defining anoi'position, an on posit-ion and a transfer position, and a main masterswitch having relatively movable contact members adapted to be connectedto the circuit to be controlled through the master switch when it is inthe transfer position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

` JAMESy W. S'IQOCKING.

